When I started a few months ago, I had to pick an accountant. Someone advised to use a local one if possible. I did speak to a few of the bigger ones and while they were OK, some of them were a bit expensive and I didnt really like the idea of contacting a team rather than a specific person.
So, in the end I found a local accountant. Certified by the PCG - great. Prided themselves on doing business by email. Perfect thought I - dont have to keep ringing them but can still drop stuff in / go and see them in person if necessary.
That was two months ago. Since then I've found out, they rarely even answer emails, even if they do its - can you ring me to explain. The one fella whos a partner is great when you speak to him (when you can get hold of him) and seems to know his stuff.
However, I get the impression they would rather I didnt ask questions and let them get on with it. Personally, I dont want to do things like that. Its my company, my responsibility (like someone once said the accountant aint you're companies financial director).
The email thing is winding me up. To be honest, I dont want to sit in clientco on the phone whilst the permies listen in to the details. Neither do I want to spent lunchtimes sat in my car on the phone to accountant. I want to send out an email and get a reply a few days later. If its urgent I'll ring.
The VAT thing is becoming a joke too. Just registered for VAT, so I scanned the certificate, agent login, acceptance to flat rate etc and sent it to them (they did read the email this time). Quarter end was June 30th so I sent them my only invoice.
Got an email from someone at the accountants (never heard from them before) asking me to send my purchase receipts. I replied back that there was no need because I was flat rate registered. Got a reply back saying OK waiting for your receipts but you might want to think about being flat rate registered. WTF? Didnt you read my email. YOUR company already registered me on the flat rate scheme.
Gets worse. Got a letter on Saturday from a 3rd person. Please can you send us your VAT so we can process the VAT return. My VAT what? Is it a living entity all of a sudden that sits in the corner and you have to feed it? Its a small practice of around 10-15 people but no-one seems to speak to each other.
I really worry that my VAT aint gonna get sorted this quarter by them. Last contact was - dont worry you've got till end of July. Dont worry! Just flippin do it and tell me how much to pay. Its only one invoice at a flat rate !!!!!!!!!!!!! I could probably do it all myself in 10 minutes !!!!!!
Paying them. Gets worse again. They sent me a Standing Order form to fill in. I explained to them the bank account was still pending so I'd make a manual payment for the first month. Emailed but no reply so I did it anyway. Then I noticed the SO was filled in already for £85 (its £85 plus VAT) so I emailed and said send me another correct SO to sign or I can just set an SO up from my end if you;re happy that the total should be £102. Guess what - aint heard a peep from them. Crack on fellas I aint wasting time chasing you if you dont want my money.
Like I said the director seems a nice fella but it seems all I'm paying for at the moment is an accountant helpline cos they aint doing much else.
What are the possible hassles if I try and ditch them now? Would they be liable to charge me more than two months payments? I guess they're saving really cos they aint had to do a year end return but they did do one contract review for me (admitedly did a good job with that).
Also, if I go somewhere else, am I going to pay more per month than normal bearing in mind its gonna be 10 months not 12?
So, in the end I found a local accountant. Certified by the PCG - great. Prided themselves on doing business by email. Perfect thought I - dont have to keep ringing them but can still drop stuff in / go and see them in person if necessary.
That was two months ago. Since then I've found out, they rarely even answer emails, even if they do its - can you ring me to explain. The one fella whos a partner is great when you speak to him (when you can get hold of him) and seems to know his stuff.
However, I get the impression they would rather I didnt ask questions and let them get on with it. Personally, I dont want to do things like that. Its my company, my responsibility (like someone once said the accountant aint you're companies financial director).
The email thing is winding me up. To be honest, I dont want to sit in clientco on the phone whilst the permies listen in to the details. Neither do I want to spent lunchtimes sat in my car on the phone to accountant. I want to send out an email and get a reply a few days later. If its urgent I'll ring.
The VAT thing is becoming a joke too. Just registered for VAT, so I scanned the certificate, agent login, acceptance to flat rate etc and sent it to them (they did read the email this time). Quarter end was June 30th so I sent them my only invoice.
Got an email from someone at the accountants (never heard from them before) asking me to send my purchase receipts. I replied back that there was no need because I was flat rate registered. Got a reply back saying OK waiting for your receipts but you might want to think about being flat rate registered. WTF? Didnt you read my email. YOUR company already registered me on the flat rate scheme.
Gets worse. Got a letter on Saturday from a 3rd person. Please can you send us your VAT so we can process the VAT return. My VAT what? Is it a living entity all of a sudden that sits in the corner and you have to feed it? Its a small practice of around 10-15 people but no-one seems to speak to each other.
I really worry that my VAT aint gonna get sorted this quarter by them. Last contact was - dont worry you've got till end of July. Dont worry! Just flippin do it and tell me how much to pay. Its only one invoice at a flat rate !!!!!!!!!!!!! I could probably do it all myself in 10 minutes !!!!!!
Paying them. Gets worse again. They sent me a Standing Order form to fill in. I explained to them the bank account was still pending so I'd make a manual payment for the first month. Emailed but no reply so I did it anyway. Then I noticed the SO was filled in already for £85 (its £85 plus VAT) so I emailed and said send me another correct SO to sign or I can just set an SO up from my end if you;re happy that the total should be £102. Guess what - aint heard a peep from them. Crack on fellas I aint wasting time chasing you if you dont want my money.
Like I said the director seems a nice fella but it seems all I'm paying for at the moment is an accountant helpline cos they aint doing much else.
What are the possible hassles if I try and ditch them now? Would they be liable to charge me more than two months payments? I guess they're saving really cos they aint had to do a year end return but they did do one contract review for me (admitedly did a good job with that).
Also, if I go somewhere else, am I going to pay more per month than normal bearing in mind its gonna be 10 months not 12?
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